Enter the secretive world of spies, espionage, and covert operations.
Hosted by former CIA analyst turned spy novelist, David McCloskey, and veteran security correspondent, Gordon Corera, this podcast unravels real-life spy stories, intelligence secrets, and the hidden power struggles shaping global events.
From Cold War espionage to modern-day intelligence agencies like the CIA, MI6, and Mossad, explore the world of double agents, classified missions, and the shadowy figures who operate in them. Whether you’re a true crime addict, a thriller fan, or fascinated by spy stories, this is the show for you.
Avsnitt
61. The Truth About UFOs: Whistleblowers, Warplanes, and Worlds Unknown (Ep 4)
For years, the term UFO conjured images of tin foil hats and elaborate cover-ups. But with recent official reports from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence detailing hundreds of UAP sightings, including objects that remain stationary in high winds or manoeuvre in strange ways, the conversation has fundamentally changed. What accounts for this new era of openness, and what are these "true anomalies" that continue to baffle experts?
From sophisticated Chinese spy balloons caught floating over the continental US to the persistent question of advanced foreign adversary systems, the latest wave of UAP sightings mirrors Cold War-era fears of rival technologies. Yet, even as 70% of recent reports are attributed to balloons and 8% to birds , a stubborn 5% defy explanation.
Listen as Gordon and David conclude their series on UFOs and secret government programs. They'll explore why the military is now actively encouraging pilots to report UAPs , and debate whether today's unexplained phenomena are next-generation military platforms, foreign intelligence, or indeed, something "that we don't yet understand... a different form of life."
-------------------
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-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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60. The Truth About UFOs: The CIA's Alien Obsession (Ep 3)
In 1955, a United States Senator claimed he saw a "greenish-yellow ball rising rapidly" over the Soviet Union. Was it a Soviet secret weapon, an extraterrestrial visitation, or something else entirely? And why was the CIA so intent on keeping its UFO investigations under wraps?
From the early days of the Cold War, the CIA found itself drawn into the burgeoning world of UFO sightings, not because of aliens, but due to a deeper fear: what if these unidentified objects were Soviet aircraft or a psychological warfare tool designed to disrupt US air defences and undermine society? This chilling possibility led the agency down a path of secret monitoring and debunking, a path that inadvertently fuelled the very conspiracy theories it sought to suppress.
Join Gordon and David as they uncover the CIA's surprising role in the UFO phenomenon, from their secret U2 spy plane tests to the farcical attempts to silence witnesses, and explore how their efforts to protect classified programs only solidified public belief in a grand cover-up.
-------------------
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Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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59. The Truth About UFOs: Alien Sightings (Ep 2)
In the mid-1970s, new, more outlandish claims about the Roswell incident began to surface: not one, but multiple crash sites, military recovery of alien bodies, and secret autopsies. What do these reports of "bald" creatures in "silver unitards" have to do with the original 1947 mystery?
As the Roswell mythology grew, accounts emerged of strange bodies, often described as small, mangled, and blackened, with large flexible heads and concave eyes. But the official US Air Force report from the mid-90s offers a different, more grounded explanation for these seemingly credible sightings.
Listen as Gordon and David uncover the surprising connections between these alleged alien encounters and a series of covert US Air Force experiments involving high-altitude balloon flights, crash test dummies, and even human-like forms dropped from the sky. Was it a cover-up, or a perfectly explicable, albeit highly classified, series of events?
-------------------
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-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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58. The Truth About UFOs: The Roswell Incident (Ep 1)
The date was July 8th, 1947. The Roswell Daily Record boldly announced: "RAAF Recovers Flying Saucer." How did this headline ignite a global obsession with UFOs, and why has the official narrative shifted so many times since?
From eyewitness accounts of glowing objects zooming across the sky to official reports of a recovered "disk," the Roswell incident remains one of the most compelling and hotly debated mysteries of the 20th century. But is the government merely guarding classified information, or is there a more elaborate cover-up at play?
Listen as Gordon and David embark on an exhilarating journey into the realm of the unexplained, starting with the Roswell incident, and get ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about what's really "out there."
-------------------
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-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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57. Why Israel Attacked Iran
The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel may have escalated last Friday when Israel launched predawn strikes on its regional enemy, but tensions have been brewing for years.
In 2020, the Israeli National Intelligence Agency, Mossad, assassinated Iran's top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, using AI-powered weaponry. This attack laid the foundations for the contemporary Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and signalled that this conflict was always simmering at the surface.
Listen as national security journalist, Gordon Corera, and former CIA Analyst, David McCloskey, tell the story of how Iran and Israel came to the brink of war.
-------------------
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-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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56. Bin Laden vs the CIA: Death in Pakistan (Ep 6)
His poetry celebrated a cosmic struggle of violence and glory, but his end was far from a medieval power play. Why did Osama bin Laden spend his final years in a secluded compound in Pakistan, attempting to manage a global terrorist organisation while living a surprisingly mundane life? What were the chilling details of the raid that finally brought him down, and how did it forever change the landscape of global security?
In the final episode of our series on Osama bin Laden vs the CIA, we delve into his strange, semi-retired life in Abbottabad, where he micro-managed Al Qaeda from a makeshift studio and devoured books about himself. Discover how the US military's capabilities evolved from the late 1990s to 2011, culminating in the precise operation that targeted his compound. From the dramatic helicopter mishap to the final moments inside his "self-made prison," we recount the daring raid and its immediate aftermath.
Join Gordon and David as they conclude this wild series, reflecting on bin Laden's ultimate demise, his shattered legacy, and the profound, lasting impact he cast over the world. Plus, make sure you’re subscribed to the Declassified Club via the link below for a special, bonus interview with a man who spent his career tracking down Al Qaeda’s infamous leader.
-------------------
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-------------------
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-------------------
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Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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55. Bin Laden vs the CIA: The Hunt for the World's Most Wanted (Ep 5)
A decade after 9/11, Osama bin Laden remained at large, a constant "running sore" for the US government. But how did a fleeting glimpse of a tall guy with a beard and the interrogation of a high-value detainee finally set the CIA on the right path? And what was the decision that President Obama had to make, knowing the risks and the history of missed opportunities?
In this episode, we detail the relentless pursuit of Osama bin Laden, focusing on the critical intelligence trail that went from a vague alias to a specific car. Discover how the complex US-Pakistani relationship, characterised by mistrust and double game allegations, complicated any direct action. And, learn about the elaborate surveillance of the compound in Abbottabad, perhaps the last place the CIA expected bin Laden to be.
Join David and Gordon in this penultimate episode in their investigation into the life and death of Osama bin Laden.
-------------------
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-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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54. Bin Laden vs the CIA: 9/11 (Ep 4)
On a clear September morning, the American homeland was shattered, revealing a vulnerability unforeseen for nearly two centuries. But, how did Osama bin Laden, soon to become the world's most wanted terrorist, orchestrate the largest mass murder in American history? What was the "chatter" among Al Qaeda members that something was imminent, and why couldn't the intelligence community piece together the puzzle?
This episode plunges into the meticulous planning and devastating execution of the 9/11 attacks. From Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's initial "insane ideas" to Osama bin Laden's personal selection of suicide operatives, we explore the journey from whispers of "something big was coming" to the collapse of the Twin Towers. Discover the strategic warnings received by the U.S. intelligence community and the crucial missed opportunities that allowed the plot to succeed.
Listen as Gordon and David recount the horrifying events of 9/11, the immediate response of the U.S. government, and the first frantic steps in the decade-long hunt for the mastermind.
-------------------
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-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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53. Bin Laden vs the CIA: The Great Escape (Ep 3)
"The walls of oppression and humiliation cannot be demolished except in a rain of bullets." These chilling words from Osama bin Laden's 1996 fatwa declared war on the United States. How did this Saudi Arabian millionaire transform into a global terrorist leader, openly inviting media attention even as he plotted attacks against America? And what were the critical missed opportunities for the CIA to capture or kill him before 9/11?
Today we’re exploring bin Laden's return to Afghanistan in 1996, a permissive sanctuary where he solidified Al Qaeda as a global force. Despite dwindling personal funds, he used propaganda and media appearances to generate cash and build his image as a puritanical jihadist leader. Discover his strange lifestyle at Tarnak Farms, a decrepit former Soviet agricultural station, and the shift in his ideology that led him to declare all Americans, civilian or military, as legitimate targets.
Join Gordon and David as they dissect the events leading up to the devastating 1998 embassy bombings in East Africa, the controversial "Trod Pints" plan to kidnap bin Laden, and the mounting frustration within the CIA over a series of missed chances.
-------------------
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-------------------
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Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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52. Bin Laden vs the CIA: Declaring Jihad (Ep 2)
How did a Saudi millionaire, seemingly more interested in a simple life than luxury, become the architect of a global terrorist organization? What personal and geopolitical forces converged to transform Osama bin Laden from a shy student into a war hero and the spiritual leader of Al Qaeda? And why was 1979 such a pivotal year for both him and the future of Islamic extremism?
In this episode, Gordon and David dissect the pivotal year of 1979, a "hinge year" in the Middle East that profoundly impacted bin Laden. From the Grand Mosque siege in Mecca to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, we explore how these events provided an outlet for his burgeoning extremist beliefs and set him on the path to violence. Discover how he leveraged his family wealth and charismatic influence to build a network of Arab volunteers, laying the groundwork for a movement that would change the world.
Join Gordon and David as they trace the critical turning points that led to the formation of Al Qaeda, and the surprising ways in which bin Laden cultivated his image as a holy warrior.
-------------------
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-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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51. Bin Laden vs the CIA: The Origins of Al-Qaeda (Ep 1)
What kind of man was Osama bin Laden before he became the world's most wanted terrorist? How did his early life and radical beliefs shape the figure who would one day challenge the West? And what role did the Muslim Brotherhood play in his formative years?
In this opening episode of a powerful new series, we journey back to Osama bin Laden's beginnings in Saudi Arabia. Through the lens of the CIA's relentless pursuit, we explore the man behind the myth, guided by those who knew him and the intelligence agencies that hunted him.
Join Gordon and David as they unravel the complex origins of a global adversary and the beginning of a decades-long struggle.
-------------------
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-------------------
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Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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50. The Man Who Tried To Kill The KGB: On the Run from Russia (Ep 2)
He risked everything to expose the KGB's darkest secrets, but Vasily Mitrokhin had two non-negotiable demands: his family's safety and his archive's publication. How did MI6 navigate these unprecedented requests? What secret deal was struck with the Americans to fund his resettlement? And why did Mitrokhin himself express anger at his handlers?
This episode delves deeper into the nail-biting exfiltration of Vasily Mitrokhin and his family from a turbulent post-Soviet landscape. From a comically small minibus to a chaotic scene at the docks, the operation pushes the MI6 team to their limits. But the biggest challenge isn't the KGB – it's the personal fallout of Mitrokhin's secret life.
Listen as Gordon and David uncover the raw, emotional moments of a spy's escape and the complex, costly process of bringing his invaluable archive to the West.
-------------------
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-------------------
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Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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49. The Man Who Tried To Kill The KGB: A Traitor in the Kremlin (Ep 1)
The Cold War may have ended, but the hunt for dangerous secrets never truly stops. What happens when a disillusioned KGB archivist decides to betray his masters? How did he manage to steal masses of top-secret files from the heart of the Soviet Union? And what did the CIA miss that MI6 was able to seize?
This is the incredible story of Vasily Mitrokhin, a man with a "profound, even spiritual hatred" for the KGB he served. For years, he meticulously copied secret documents, turning a hidden archive into a weapon against the very "beast" he believed was destroying Russia. His daring escape and the treasure trove of secrets he brought with him would shine a light on the KGB's global operations for decades.
Join Gordon and David as they unravel the true tale of a man who risked everything to expose the deepest secrets of one of the world's most feared intelligence agencies.
-------------------
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-------------------
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Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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48. The Leak That Changed The World: Death of Privacy (Ep 6)
Do we have any privacy in the modern era? Why did Snowden do the things he did? Was he successful? And what is the closest Gordon Corera ever came to being a spy?
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera discuss the legacy of Edward Snowden.
-------------------
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-------------------
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Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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47. The Leak That Changed The World: Spying on the World (Ep 5)
Stories continue to flood out of the Snowden leaks and it's not just American doing the spying. How were the British 'Mastering the Internet'? Should we be surprised that America are spying on their allies? And what damage will these revelations do?
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera discuss how the stories from Edward Snowden's leaks continue to make headlines around the world.
-------------------
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-------------------
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Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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46. The Leak That Changed The World: Snowden On The Run (Ep 4)
The world has met Edward Snowden and now he fears repercussions. How will he escape Hong Kong? Where will he go? And will any nation be willing to risk the fury of the USA and help him?
Listen as David and Gordon continue the story of Edward Snowden and the leaks that changed the world.
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-------------------
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Producer: Callum Hill
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Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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45. The Leak That Changed The World: America Exposed (Ep 3)
With Snowden now in possession of 1,500,000 secret American files, how can he get them in the public eye? Which journalists will he choose to help him? And why does he choose to hole himself up in a hotel room in Hong Kong?
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera discuss just how Snowden and the journalists he was working with plan to publish one of the most consequential stories of the 21st century.
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-------------------
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Producer: Callum Hill
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Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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44. The Leak That Changed The World: Stealing State Secrets (Ep 2)
Edward Snowden has decided he is going to leak some of America's biggest secrets, but first he needs to steal them. How do you steal from some of America's most secure facilities? Does he have the access he needs? And is he working alone?
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera share how Edward Snowden stole 1,500,000 files from the American system.
-------------------
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43. The Leak That Changed The World: Snowden Hacks the System (Ep 1)
Who was Edward Snowden? Was he an ideologue or a disgruntled employee? And what led him to orchestrating the biggest leak in modern American history?
Join David McCloskey and Gordon Corera as they discuss Edward Snowden, his life inside the American secret state, and his momentous decision to act against it.
-------------------
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-------------------
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42. Putin’s Minions: The Master in Moscow (Ep 2)
The game is afoot, and the stakes are higher than ever. Who was the real villain in the Minions spy saga? How did a fintech tycoon become a key player in Russian espionage? And what does this case reveal about the Kremlin's increasingly brazen tactics?
As the story of the Bulgarian spy ring unfolds, a web of deception and international intrigue emerges. The key to the puzzle lies in the identity of the handler, a man whose double life and connections to Russian intelligence raise troubling questions about the reach of the Kremlin's power.
Listen as Gordon and David follow the money, messages, and Minions to expose the truth behind this audacious act of espionage.
-------------------
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41. Putin’s Minions: How Russia Spies (Ep 1)
What do a fading seaside hotel, a self-proclaimed Q, and an eyelash champion have in common? They're all part of a bizarre Russian spy ring operating in the UK. But beneath the absurdity lies a serious threat. What were these "Minions" really up to? And how close did they come to compromising Western security?
This is the story of a group of Bulgarians, directed from Moscow, who engaged in a series of increasingly audacious espionage operations across Europe. From tracking journalists to plotting kidnappings and deploying high-tech spy gear, their activities reveal the Kremlin's relentless pursuit of its enemies.
Join Gordon and David as they delve into the darkly comic yet deeply concerning world of modern Russian espionage.
-------------------
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40. Iran vs Israel: Mossad Assassinates Iranian Mastermind (Ep 2)
The future of warfare is already here, and it's more terrifying than we imagined. How did Israel deploy a remote-controlled robotic gun to assassinate a high-profile target? What does this operation reveal about the rise of AI-assisted killings? And are we prepared for a world where drones and robots can kill without human intervention?
In 2020, the killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh demonstrated the deadly potential of remote-controlled weaponry. But this is just the beginning. As AI technology advances, the possibility of fully autonomous weapons systems becomes increasingly real.
Listen as Gordon and David explore the technological and ethical dimensions of this assassination, and confront the unsettling reality of a future where killer robots may no longer be science fiction.
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39. Iran vs Israel: Inside the Shadow War (Ep 1)
How do Israeli and Iranian intelligence fight each other? Who's the man behind the Iranian nuclear programme? And what is the Mossad operation aimed at slowing it down?
Listen as Gordon Corera and David McCloskey look into the shadow war between Iran and Israel and the Israeli attempts to slow down the Iranian nuclear programme.
-------------------
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Introducing... Legacy
Legacy, hosted by historian Peter Frankopan and broadcaster Afua Hirsch, delves into the lives of some of history’s most influential figures - from Margaret Thatcher to Napoleon, JFK to Cleopatra unpacking what their pasts reveal about our present.
In their latest season, they’re exploring the legacy of Sigmund Freud, a man more involved in the world of espionage than you might expect...
Listen here: https://wondery.com/shows/legacy/season/19/
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38. CIA Mind Control: America’s Secret Cartel (Ep 4)
How did Cold War paranoia fuel the CIA's mind control experiments? What did popular films like The Manchurian Candidate have to do with the agency's secret programs? And did the CIA really help shape the counterculture of the 1960s?
In the shadowy world of espionage, the line between science fiction and reality blurred, and as the Cold War deepened, fears of communist brainwashing led the CIA down a twisted path of experimentation. But the agency's quest for mind control may have had unintended consequences, inadvertently influencing the very culture it sought to understand.
Listen as Gordon and David conclude their series on MKUltra and explore the surprising connections between their mind control programs, Hollywood thrillers, and the rise of the psychedelic 60s.
-------------------
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37. CIA Mind Control: Sex, Drugs, and Mysterious Deaths (Ep 3)
From LSD-fuelled hallucinations to medically-induced comas, the CIA explored every avenue in their search for mind control. But how did they justify these gross violations of human rights? And what does it reveal about the hidden history of the Cold War?
In the clandestine world of espionage, the pursuit of knowledge can have a dark side. As the US and the USSR battled to come out on top, the CIA embarked on a series of top-secret experiments, pushing the boundaries of ethics and legality in their quest to unlock the secrets of the human brain.
Listen as Gordon and David expose the shocking truth about MK Ultra, the CIA's mind control program, and the legacy of abuse that continues to haunt the agency's past.
-------------------
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36. CIA Mind Control: Fighting Communism with LSD (Ep 2)
Who was the eccentric chemist at the heart of the CIA's most controversial experiments? What happened when Langley was turned into a testing ground for mind-altering drugs? And how did the quest for a truth serum lead to a psychedelic free-for-all?
Inside the CIA, the search for a mind control breakthrough took a bizarre turn. Driven by the relentless pursuit of Sidney Gottlieb, LSD was introduced into the daily lives of unsuspecting officers. From laced coffee to drug-fuelled office parties, the agency's experiments pushed the boundaries of both science and sanity.
Listen as Gordon and David expose the shocking truth about the CIA's top-secret experiments with LSD, the devastating consequences, and the enduring legacy of MK Ultra.
-------------------
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Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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35. CIA Mind Control: The Origin of MK Ultra (Ep 1)
What if the government knew how to control your mind? Could a secret program unlock the secrets of the human psyche? And how far would the CIA go to win the Cold War?
In the shadowy world of espionage, the line between science and sinister experiments blurs. As the Cold War gripped the globe, the CIA embarked on a desperate quest to weaponise the mind. Unwitting Americans became guinea pigs in a series of covert experiments, pushing the boundaries of ethics and legality.
Listen as Gordon and David delve into the shocking truth behind MKUltra, the CIA's mind control program, and the chilling story of Sidney Gottlieb, the man at its centre.
-------------------
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34. Putin's War: The Battle for Kyiv (Ep 4)
What did the West know about Russia’s invasion before it happened? How did Ukraine prepare for a war they weren’t sure would come? And why did Moscow underestimate its opponent so disastrously?
Western intelligence agencies warned that Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine - but even they were surprised by how badly Moscow’s strategy would unravel. From supply chain breakdowns to failed attempts at a decapitation strike on Kyiv, the war’s first days exposed deep weaknesses in Russia’s military machine.
Listen as Gordon and David conclude their series on the Russia-Ukraine War and reveal the hidden intelligence failures and military miscalculations that shaped the war’s opening moments.
-------------------
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33. Putin’s War: How Russian Intelligence Failed (Ep 3)
How did Russia’s invasion of Ukraine go so badly wrong? What crucial mistakes did the Kremlin make in the opening days? And why did Putin’s inner circle give him false intelligence about what would happen?
When Russian forces rolled across the border with Ukraine in February 2022, they expected a swift victory. Instead, they encountered fierce resistance, logistical chaos, and intelligence failures that shattered their plans. As Ukraine fought back, the world watched in shock as war returned to Europe.
Listen as Gordon and David continue the story of how Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago.
-------------------
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32. Putin’s War: The CIA Warn Zelensky (Ep 2)
How did Ukraine defy the odds against Russia? What role did Western intelligence play in preparing Kyiv for war? And what did Western intelligence know that Russia didn’t?
For months, Western intelligence warned of an imminent Russian attack, but when the invasion finally came, it didn’t go according to Moscow’s script. Poor planning, logistical failures, and underestimating Ukrainian resistance turned what should have been a quick operation into a prolonged and costly war.
Listen as Gordon and David reveal the hidden factors that helped Ukraine survive the opening days of war.
-------------------
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31. Putin’s War: The Secret Plot to Invade Ukraine (Ep 1)
How did western intelligence services learn of Putin's plan to invade Ukraine?
2021 is drawing to a close and the CIA is becoming increasingly concerned that Putin is going to invade Ukraine. He's made it clear he sees it as part of Russia and so Bill Burns, CIA director, is going to be sent out to Moscow in a desperate attempt to dissuade him.
Listen as Gordon and David break down the run up to the war and CIA attempts to stop it.
-------------------
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30. The Spy Who Betrayed Oppenheimer: Showdown with MI5 (Ep 4)
What happens when the world’s most valuable spy is finally caught? How did British and American intelligence hunt him down? And, was Klaus Fuchs a hero, a villain, or something in between?
Klaus Fuchs' final days as a free man were marked by growing suspicions, clandestine exchanges, and a relentless pursuit by MI5. The secrets he passed had already set the stage for a nuclear-armed Cold War, irreversibly altering the balance of global power. As the truth emerged, so too did the cost of his betrayal - a world reshaped by espionage, ideological conviction, and the stolen intelligence that fuelled an arms race.
Listen as David and Gordon take you inside the mind of the man who stole the bomb - and the world he left in his wake.
-------------------
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29. The Spy Who Betrayed Oppenheimer: Deception at Los Alamos (Ep 3)
How did a Russian spy end up at the heart of the Manhattan Project? What happened when Soviet intelligence lost track of their own spy? And how did one man hand Stalin the bomb on a silver platter?
Klaus Fuchs was already one of the most valuable spies in history, feeding atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. But when he disappeared in 1944, his handlers feared the worst. In reality, he was about to get even closer to the ultimate prize: the blueprints for the atomic bomb.
This week, Gordon and David uncover how Fuchs embedded himself in Los Alamos, the most classified site on Earth, and carried out one of the greatest intelligence coups of the 20th century.
-------------------
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28. The Spy Who Betrayed Oppenheimer: The Manhattan Project (Ep 2)
What makes a man betray his closest friends? How did a German refugee help Stalin build the bomb? And why did British intelligence fail to spot the most dangerous spy in the Manhattan Project?
Klaus Fuchs was brilliant, quiet, and unassuming. A physicist at the cutting edge of nuclear science, he worked at the heart of Britain’s secret atomic weapons program before being sent to the United States to join the Manhattan Project. But, all the while, Fuchs was passing the most closely guarded secrets of the West straight to the Soviet Union.
Listen as David and Gordon uncover how Fuchs’ communist beliefs and wartime alliances led him to become one of the most infamous spies of the 20th century.
-------------------
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27. The Spy Who Betrayed Oppenheimer: Fighting the Nazis (Ep 1)
Who was the Russian spy working under Oppenheimer to build the atomic bomb? Why was it so dangerous to be a communist in Nazi Germany? And how did a young science prodigy become one of the most notorious spies in history?
Klaus Fuchs was born into a left-wing family at the beginning of the 20th century. Vehemently opposed to the fascist politics of his German homeland during the 1930s, Fuchs flees Hitler's repressive state and finds himself caught up in the horrors of World War Two. When a group of ambitious communists reach out to save him, his life is changed forever. This is the story of the communist spy who infiltrated the Manhattan Project.
Listen as Gordon and David begin to tell the fascinating tale of Klaus Fuchs, the atomic spy.
-------------------
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26. The Intelligence War: Trump and the End of American Support for Ukraine
Donald Trump has paused all intelligence sharing with Ukraine. What does this mean? What intelligence was being shared? How dependent are Ukraine on this? And what impact will this have on the war?
Listen as Gordon Corera and David McCloskey discuss the latest developments in Ukraine.
-------------------
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25. Trump vs the CIA: The Halloween Massacre (Ep 2)
When the CIA is forced to downsize, who gets cut? What happens to the intelligence left behind? And how does political control change the way spies operate?
In the late 1970s, Jimmy Carter’s CIA director launched a brutal purge, firing hundreds of intelligence officers in what became known as the Halloween Massacre. Now, with Trump taking his own axe to Langley, David and Gordon ask: is history repeating itself? And what happens when America’s spies become the target?
-------------------
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24. Trump vs the CIA: Purging the Deep State (Ep 1)
How do politicians control the CIA? What happens when politics affects the way it is run? And how often does the White House clash with Langley?
Trump is trying to bring the CIA more directly under his control. He wants to reduce the size of it and re-order it's priorities. But he's not the first President to try to interfere at Langley. This week on The Rest Is Classified, David and Gordon look at Trump's CIA reforms but also take an eye to history to look at Jimmy Carter's CIA reforms that led to Halloween Massacre...
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23. Why Trump Wants Greenland: The Lost Nuclear Bomb (Ep 2)
Can nuclear missiles really just disappear? Why is Greenland so important to the security of the United States? And will Donald Trump go all the way with his plan to buy this Arctic island?
A plane carrying nuclear weapons crashes in the Arctic and the effects ricochet through history. From seals born with deformities to radioactive permafrost, the presence of nuclear weapons on Greenland is seismic and very controversial. So, with Donald Trump threatening to buy the world’s largest island, David and Gordon are asking: why?
-------------------
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22. Why Trump Wants Greenland: Secret Bases, The Arctic Circle, and Project Iceworm (Ep 1)
Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants Greenland, but why? What is it about this largely barren, ice-covered island that extends well into the Arctic circle that he so desires? And how far back does this interest go?
Filled with rare minerals that are becoming increasingly valuable due to modern technology, critically placed for access to Arctic sea lanes, and home to key US military infrastructure, Greenland is of major security importance. But this importance stretches back into the 20th century. Listen as David and Gordon discuss the secret history of Greenland and all the bizarre events of the 20th century that have led to it being on Donald Trump’s wishlist.
-------------------
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21. Death on the Thames: The Poisoned Umbrella (Ep 2)
Was an umbrella too obvious a murder weapon for an assassination in the heart of London? Why were the KGB hesitant to do the Bulgarian government's dirty work? And how do scientists work with spy agencies to identify lethal poisons?
Georgi Markov, the Bulgarian dissident writer, is dead. But, who murdered him? Was it the Bulgarians or the KGB? What about the British? In the aftermath of Markov's poisoning, the Metropolitan Police are struggling to discover the perpetrator behind the umbrella.
Listen as David and Gordon continue the story of the mysterious murder of a Bulgarian BBC broadcaster on Waterloo Bridge, and ask: will the assassin ever be caught?
-------------------
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20. Death on the Thames: An Assassin in London (Ep 1)
How do you get away with murder in the heart of London? And which weapon would you choose to avoid arousing suspicion?
Georgi Markov was a Bulgarian dissident writer wanted by the Eastern Bloc for spreading anti-regime messaging across Western Europe. He'd fled to London and begun working for the BBC World Service, the US-funded Radio Free Europe and West Germany's Deutsche Welle. A satirist at heart, he used his platform to criticise the Bulgarian Communist leader, Todor Zhivkov, making fun of the authoritarian president and calling for the liberation of his home country.
But, was Markov walking a dangerous line that could lead to his untimely demise? Find out as David and Gordon tell the mysterious story of the Bulgarian writer and his suspicious death on Waterloo Bridge.
-------------------
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19. Attack on Greenpeace: Death in the Pacific (Ep 2)
Did the French secret service commit an act of state terrorism by sinking a Greenpeace ship? Why did the tragedy of the Rainbow Warrior become known as BlunderWatergate? How many millions of dollars did France have to pay Greenpeace in compensation?
The French have bombed the Rainbow Warrior, forcing its environmentalist crew to flee for their lives, but one member of the team is stuck on board. As the story of the attack starts to spread around the world, what ensues is a frantic man-hunt to unmask the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
In this episode, Gordon and David trawl through the murky aftermath of the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, debating how this disastrous operation informs sabotage missions to this day.
-------------------
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18. Attack on Greenpeace: France’s Nuclear Bomb (Ep 1)
Why were the French exploding nuclear bombs in the Pacific in the 70s and 80s? How did a spy manage to infiltrate Greenpeace? And what on earth are limpet mines?
In the 1960s, the French started testing nuclear weapons in the South Pacific, causing untold ecological destruction and worrying the surrounding island nations. Greenpeace, hot off the back of their successful anti-whaling and anti-sealing campaigns, heard this news and decided that nuclear weapons were their next battleground. Armed with an old English naval ship and some controversial publicity tactics, Greenpeace took on the French to free the Pacific of nuclear weapons.
Join David and Gordon as they dive into the gripping tale of the Rainbow Warrior - Greenpeace’s fearless flagship - sunk in a shocking act of French espionage in 1985.
-------------------
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17. Crossing the Iron Curtain: Revenge in Russia (Ep 4)
Will Tolkachev fall at the final hurdle and land in the hands of the KGB? How do the CIA go about protecting their assets in the field? And, does it really take a spy to catch a spy?
As we reach the final instalment of the story of Adolf Tolkachev, the plot reaches its dramatic crescendo. Tolkachev has now been working for the CIA for over half a decade and the pressure is clearly taking its toll on both him and the US agents around him. As the two Cold War powers face off on the outskirts of Moscow, which behemoth will come out on top? Listen as David and Gordon conclude their series on the unbelievable story of the Billion Dollar Spy.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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16. Crossing the Iron Curtain: Escape From the KGB (Ep 3)
How would you disguise a cyanide pill for a CIA spy in Moscow during the Cold War? What risks could Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles pose to Adolf Tolkachev’s mission against the Soviet state? And will the CIA’s mole in Moscow be discovered by the KGB?
It’s 1985, and for the past five years, Tolkachev has been providing the CIA with top secret documents detailing the intricacies of Soviet radar technology. He’s risked everything he knows and loves to help orchestrate the demise of the USSR, but is he teetering on the edge of discovery? Listen as David and Gordon share the third instalment of the story of Adolf Tolkachev as his health begins to decline and he realises a suicide pill might be his only way out.
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Pre-order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
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Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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The Seventh Floor (Extract)
To coincide with the release of David's latest novel, The Seventh Floor, we have the book’s first chapter in audiobook form for you to enjoy.
Bouncing between the corridors of Langley and the Kremlin, the thrilling new novel by David McCloskey explores the nature of friendship in a faithless business, and what it means to love a place that does not love you back.
The Seventh Floor by David McCloskey, is OUT NOW in the UK.
Pre-order a signed edition via this link.
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A Russian arrives in Singapore with a secret to sell. When the Russian is killed and Sam Joseph, the CIA officer dispatched for the meet, goes missing, Artemis Procter is made a scapegoat and run out of the service. Traded back in a spy swap, Sam appears at Procter’s central Florida doorstep months later with an explosive secret: there is a Russian mole hidden deep within the upper reaches of CIA.
As Procter and Sam investigate, they arrive at a shortlist of suspects made up of both Procter’s closest friends and fiercest enemies. The hunt soon requires Procter to dredge up her own checkered past in service of CIA, placing her and Sam into the sights of a savvy Russian spymaster who will protect Moscow’s mole in Langley at all costs, even if it means wreaking bloody havoc across the United States.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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15. Crossing the Iron Curtain: The Cold War’s Most Valuable Spy (Ep 2)
Was it possible to avoid KGB surveillance in Moscow as a CIA agent at the height of the Cold War? What motivates someone to spy on their country for an opposing power? And how did Adolf Tolkachev manage to smuggle out the top secret documents the CIA needed to defeat the USSR?
Adolf Tolkachev has been recruited by the CIA as a mole inside a highly sensitive government department in Moscow. His job: to sneak top secret documents out to offer the US a glimpse of Russia's defence capabilities. Despite his initial success, Tolkachev knew the risks if he was caught by the KGB. But, could he justify those risks? Find out as Gordon and David share the latest instalment of the story of Adolf Tolkachev.
-------------------
Pre-order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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14. Crossing the Iron Curtain: The CIA’s Mole In Moscow (Ep 1)
How did the CIA recruit a Russian asset in Moscow during the height of the Cold War? Why would someone be so determined to defect from the Soviet Union and spy for the US? And what would happen if the KGB found out they had a traitor in their midst?
Adolf Tolkachev had a vendetta against the Soviet state and became determined to orchestrate its demise. An expert on Soviet radar, Tolkachev realised his top secret work could help the US fight his communist overlords and potentially topple the entire system. So, how did he do it? Listen as Gordon and David start to tell the story of the man who became the CIA’s most valuable Russian spy.
-------------------
Pre-order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.nordvpn.com/restisclassified
It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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13. How China Spies: Trump, TikTok, and Taiwan
Is the Chinese state using TikTok to spy on you? Why did President Biden move to shut TikTok down in the US the day before Trump's inauguration? And where does TikTok fit into China's cognitive warfare strategy?
On Sunday 19 January, TikTok users in the United States opened their apps to receive an error message from the company, explaining that "a law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.". Op eds were written, influencers took to other social media apps to express their dismay, and politicians scrambled to explain why they were taking drastic action against the Chinese tech company. But, what did the 24-hour ban really mean for national security and data privacy in the US?
Listen as David and Gordon take a deep dive into how China spies in the 21st century.
-------------------
Pre-order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
Get tickets to see David and Gordon in conversation at Waterstones Trafalgar Square on Tuesday 28 January at 19:00 GMT via this link.
-------------------
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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12. The Spy Who Loved Me: A Russian in New York (Ep 2)
The net is closing in around Anna Chapman. She is being watched by the FBI as they suspect her of being a Russian spy. Her moves are being tracked, but it is not as simple as they think. With the US and Russia trying to reset relations and President Medvedev stateside, the FBI are not in a place to be arresting Russians in New York. Especially when they can’t prove what she is. So what will they do?
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera discuss Anna Chapman and the precarious nature of her life in the USA.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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11. The Spy Who Loved Me: Undercover in Londongrad (Ep 1)
How did a Russian spy manage to infiltrate the upper echelons of London and New York society? Was Anna Chapman really an old fashioned Russian honeytrap or was she underestimated by the world's press? What was life like for wealthy Russians in "Londongrad" in the early 21st century?
The year is 2001 and the 18-year-old daughter of a Russian oligarch is partying in London. She meets a handsome young man at a warehouse rave and her passport to a new life in Western Europe glistens before her very eyes. What could possibly go wrong? Join David and Gordon as they take us back to the height of Londongrad and what happens when a Russian spy tries to infiltrate high society.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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10. North Korea’s CIA: The Billion Dollar Heist (Ep 2)
What happens when an authoritarian state runs its security services like an organised crime syndicate? Why did a group of North Korean cyber criminals gamble away vast sums of stolen money in the casinos of Las Vegas? And did Kim Jong Un's spies get away with their billion dollar heist?
After over a year of work, the North Korean cyber criminals are inside the Central Bank of Bangladesh and about to escape with their bags of cash, but there's a glitch. The account they plan to send the stolen money to in the Philippines has triggered a security alert with the Federal Reserve in New York. Will they avoid getting caught in the act? Listen as David and Gordon share the dramatic details of how a North Korean spy ring orchestrated one of the biggest bank robberies in history.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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9. North Korea’s CIA: Inside Kim’s Crime Family (Ep 1)
How did a group of North Korean cyber criminals manage to pull off the biggest bank heist in history? Did Kim Jong Un really orchestrate the murder of his own brother? And what does it take to keep an authoritarian state afloat?
A seemingly innocuous spearfishing email lands in the inbox of an unsuspecting employee at the Central Bank of Bangladesh. Months of patient digital hacking follow, all masterminded by a team of cyber criminals within North Korea’s shadowy spy service. But how did they manage it? Listen as David and Gordon uncover how the North Korean state created one of the world’s most dangerous crime syndicates.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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8. The Man Who Made MI6
The daring, gadget-loving, mischievous founder of MI6. Mansfield Cumming, the first C, was a former navy man brought out of retirement to keep tabs on German spies around the outbreak of the First World War. Over the following decade he established MI6 and set it on course to be a central part of the British security apparatus. Known to test the mettle of potential employees by taking a knife out and stabbing his own wooden leg; Mansfield was an eccentric man who's personality has come to shape the institution which he founded.
In this Christmas special, listen as David and Gordon discuss the founding of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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7. The Real Godfather: The Assassination that Shook Syria (Ep 2)
Did the assassination of Rafic Hariri lay the foundations for the ultimate downfall of the Assad regime? And was the Syrian dictator always destined for evil, or was evil thrust upon him?
Rafic Hariri is looking over his shoulder, anxious for his future, with Bashar al-Assad hellbent on his removal from power. He steps up his security detail and coordinates convoluted exit strategies, but his efforts are ultimately in vain. So, what was the long-term impact of the assassination of the Lebanese president for the Syrian dictator? Listen as David and Gordon tell the story of the gruesome killing of President Hariri and the parallels between Assad and the ill-fated mafiosi, Michael Corleone.
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Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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6. The Real Godfather: Assad’s Syrian Mafia (Ep 1)
How did Bashar al-Assad become one of the Middle East’s most feared dictators? What role did Hezbollah play in the assassination of the Lebanese Prime Minister in 2005? And how did Assad’s rise to ultimate power mirror the ascent of Michael Corleone in the Godfather?
As the new millennium dawned, Bashar al-Assad prepared to step into his father’s shoes as the next authoritarian president of Syria. While he enjoyed a smooth ascension to the top job, trouble was brewing over the border in Lebanon as the Lebanese Prime Minister sought to escape the debilitating control of its Syrian master. What follows is a story straight out of the Godfather canon with a mafiosi state fighting for ultimate power and a network of spies working to neutralise opposing gangs.
Listen as Gordon Corera and David McCloskey discuss the Syrian plot to assassinate the Lebanese Prime Minister at the turn of the 21st century.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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5. CIA vs the Taliban: Bin Laden's Trojan Horse (Ep 2)
Mazar i-Sharif has fallen without much of a fight. The Taliban's grip on Afghanistan is looking all the more shaky. It seems as if the American policy to work with the warlords is paying dividends. Enemy fighters are surrendering to them. But is it all too rosy? In the centre of Mazar i-Sharif, the Americans take 400 Al-Qaeda captives to Qala-i-Jangi, the Fort of War. They believe they have surrendered. But all is not as it seems...
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera discuss the first CIA teams in Afghanistan in the days after 9/11.
Further Reading:
First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11 by Toby Harnden - buy it here.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Editor: Vasco Andrade
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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4. The Rise and Fall of Assad's Spy State
What will western and Syrian spy services be focusing on following the fall of Bashar al-Assad? Is Russia and Iran’s withdrawal from Syria similar to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan? Were the security services predicting that the Assad regime would collapse so quickly?
Join David McCloskey and Gordon Corera as they answer all these questions and more in this emergency episode of The Rest Is Classified.
For further reading, check out David and Gordon’s recommended profiles below:
Razan Saffour - @RazanSpeaks
Aaron Zelin - @azelin
Leila Al-Shami - @LeilaShami
Charles Lister - @Charles_Lister
Synaps Network - @SynapsNetwork
Kim Ghattas - @KimGhattas
Emma Beals - @ejbeals
Steve Heydemann - @SHeydemann
Rim Turkmani - @Rim_Turkmani
Lina Ghoutouk - @linaagho
Sednaya Missing - @sednayamissing
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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3. CIA vs the Taliban: Behind Enemy Lines (Ep 1)
America knew Al-Qaeda were behind the 9/11 attacks before the day was out. They knew they were being sheltered by the Taliban in Afghanistan and so the CIA went after them. Small teams were dropped behind enemy lines with bags of cash and very little else, instructed to link up with Afghan warlords like Abdul Rashid Dostum. It proved to be a devastating combination as they began to sweep through Afghanistan.
Listen as Gordon Corera and David McCloskey discuss the first CIA teams first in Afghanistan after 9/11.
Further Reading:
First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11 by Toby Harnden - buy it here.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Editor: Vasco Andrade
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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2. The First CIA Coup: Turmoil in Tehran (Ep 2)
The first coup attempt has failed. The Shah has fled to Baghdad. The CIA have told Kermit he can leave if he's in a jam, but he chooses not to. He wants to finish the job. The streets of Tehran are chaos; protesters against the Shah are out in their thousands and things are getting violent. But in this Kermit sees an opportunity. If he stokes enough disorder will the majority of the capital turn against Mossadegh's radical supporters? What follows is a tale of dirty tricks, armed weightlifters, and, bizarrely, a series of Iranian politicians in their pyjamas...
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera tell the story of the 1953 Iranian coup orchestrated by the CIA and MI6.
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Editor: Kieron Leslie
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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1. The First CIA Coup: Oil, Iran, and MI6 (Ep 1)
Welcome... to the first episode of The Rest Is Classified!
It's Iran 1951. Mohammad Mossadegh, fuelled by an ever-growing nationalism, has just been elected Prime Minister. Immediately he chooses to nationalise the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, much to the anger of the British who control the majority stake. In response, MI6 are determined to destabilise his government and remove him from power. So they begin to conspire with the CIA. Kermit Roosevelt, grandson of Teddy Roosevelt and agency man, will go from Washington to Tehran and, building on existing instability, foment chaos on the streets. But it won't be plain sailing...
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera tell the story of the 1953 Iranian coup orchestrated by the CIA and MI6.
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Email: classified@goalhanger.com
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Editor: Kieron Leslie
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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The Rest is Classified Trailer
The Rest Is Classified takes you into the mysterious world of spies and espionage. Hosted by former CIA analyst now turned spy novelist, David McCloskey, and veteran security correspondent, Gordon Corera, they’ve experienced this field first-hand. It’s a world of shadows, shrouded in secrecy, but it affects every one of us. It’s time to bring it into the light.
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.